Marian J. Koepp
Marian J. Koepp, age 90, of Grand Island, departed this life on April 18, 2025, while a resident at The Heritage at Sagewood of Grand Island. Funeral service was held Tuesday, April 22, at Grace Lutheran Church in Wood River with Pastor Don Pobanz officiating. Interment was at Westlawn Memorial Park in Grand Island.
Apfel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Instead of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Grace Lutheran Church of Wood River or donor's choice. Online condolences may be directed to www. apfelfuneralhome.com.
Marian Jean was born a twin on December 28, 1934, to Charles and Mabel (Boe) Bosle on the family farm west of Litchfield. In her early years, Marian attended District 156 in Custer County. She had to walk a mile to school that did not have water or electricity. A potbellied stove using coal or cobs was used for heating water for washing and drinking. The Bosle family, consisting of seven children, moved to a farm south of Alda in the late 1940’s.
After graduating from Wood River Rural High School in 1952, Marian went to a business college in Omaha. Her first job was at the Boeing Airplane Co. in Wichita, Kansas, as a private secretary for the general manager of plant planning. She saw the first B-52 pulled out of the plant during the Korean War. During a visit home, Marian ran into an old ornery school and church mate at the Maid Rite Drive Inn in Grand Island. Marvin Koepp had just returned from the service and asked her to go on a date that evening. She initially refused, but he was persuasive and after their courtship they were married on April 8, 1956, at Grace Lutheran Church in Wood River. To this union three children were born, Karman, Kurt, and Karna.
Marian was a lifelong farmer’s wife and homemaker. She supplied many meals to the guys during planting and harvesting. She maintained an immaculate home and always produced a large garden in the summer. Owning thoroughbred racehorses was enjoyed during the 70’s and 80’s and Marian loved spending time at Fonner Park and Aksarben. Many fishing weekends were spent at Harlan County Dam. Upon Marvin’s retirement, they enjoyed spending winters in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. She enjoyed going to and watching NASCAR and Husker sports. Marian was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, The Platt-Duetsche, The Liederkranz, and the Saddle Club.
Marian leaves to mourn her passing her children, Kurt (Kristi), of Wood River, Karman (Marty) Wissing, of Shelton, and Karna (Kevin) Wagner, of Waverly; grandchildren, Rylee Koepp Horsley, of Kearney, Maxwell Koepp, of Scottsdale, Arizona, Erik Wissing, of Kearney, Michaela Wissing, of Republican City, Kelsey Wagner (Kimi Miller), of Bellevue, and Colton Drew, of Lincoln; great-grandchildren, Gibson Horsley and triplets Kambree, Kallen and Kason Miller-Wagner; sisters, Genevieve Wietjes, of Kearney, and Mavis Reiter, of Wood River; brother-in-law, Robert Koepp, of Grand Island; and a host of other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Mabel Bosle; husband of 60 years, Marvin on May 18, 2016; siblings:, Luella (Gene) Henry, Lyman (Normalean) Bosle, Delores (George) Wietjes, and twin brother, Maynard (Sharon) Bosle; and brothersin- law, Amos Wietjes and Larry Leonard.